[CHDIRAUX-L] MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY CHERTOFF: DEPARTMENT'S FIFTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY -007/08

[Chief Director of the Auxiliary Announcement List]

To:   ALAUX
From: CHDIRAUX
Subj: MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY CHERTOFF: DEPARTMENT'S FIFTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
-007/08

1. FYI


MEMORANDUM TO:           Department of Homeland Security Employees

FROM:                              Secretary Michael Chertoff

SUBJECT:                         DHS Fifth Year Anniversary

Tomorrow, March 1, 2008, marks the date five years ago that the majority of
organizations comprising the Department of Homeland Security began
operations.

It took a monumental effort to stand up-in a short period of time-the third
largest Cabinet-level Department in the Federal Government. Former Secretary
Tom Ridge and those of you who were part of that historic effort have my
utmost respect and admiration.    

Those were trying times with many known and unknown challenges. In looking
back at the Department's five-year history and its many accomplishments, the
achievements are nothing short of remarkable. From border security and
immigration enforcement to passenger screening, critical infrastructure
protection, emergency preparedness and response, we have matured into an
organization that is leading the effort to protect the Homeland.

It seems appropriate on our Fifth Anniversary to reflect on why the
Department was created and its mission: September 11, 2001. This date
remains a defining moment in our personal lives and in our country's
history. We learned that we must act deliberately and decisively, every day,
to reduce the risk of that happening again to our Homeland.

We have taken significant steps to address the threat of terrorism and other
hazards by closing vulnerabilities that existed on September 11th, and by
creating layers of security across land, sea, and air. The Department is
building capabilities for the future that will protect our Nation from
dangerous people and dangerous goods, protect our critical infrastructure,
strengthen emergency response and build a culture of preparedness, and
improve the Department's management and operations.

When I became Secretary, I made a commitment to do everything in my power
and within the bounds of the law to prevent another terrorist attack against
our country. I know all of you share this commitment and that is why we have
accomplished so much in so little time. I am confident that we will continue
to build on our success and we will continue to grow as a unified Department
with a shared mission.

So, on this Fifth Anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security, I
congratulate you on a job well done so far, and ask you to remain ever
vigilant as we carry out our mission of securing the Homeland. On behalf of
the President of the United States and a grateful Nation, thank you.  

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